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TEHRAN (FNA)- Former US President Jimmy Carter urged Washington to establish friendly ties with Tehran, reiterating the need for his country to resume trade relations with Iran, which he described as a "rational" nation. Speaking at the Hay Festival yesterday, Carter also suggested the US should provide nuclear power technology and fuel to Iran as a show of goodwill. "What happens if, in three years' time, Iran has a nuclear weapon," Carter asked. "I'm not sure that is going to happen, but if it does, what do we do? They are rational people like all of us in this room....

I'm sure there are rational people in Iran....none of them are in charge of the country however.

That seems like a fair assessment.

And a great reason to open up talks with them. I don't think it will improve the stature of Iran to have them meet with our Secretary of State. Every time Iran interacts with the US, such as the comlumbia speech, they wind up looking like out-of-touch crazies anyway.

One thing seems clear: the president of Iran wants the US to be the great enemy of his people. Anything the US does to befriend the common Iranian person can hurt his cause. Refusing to talk to them is not really an acceptable solution. I just don't see what we get out of the status quo. We have thousands of well paid diplomats... let's put them to good use. Explaining to Iran that we know what they are up to, and what we will do about it if they don't stop, and asking them what in the hell they are trying to achieve, could open up internal dialogues, more protests, etc.

And a great reason to open up talks with them. I don't think it will improve the stature of Iran to have them meet with our Secretary of State. Every time Iran interacts with the US, such as the comlumbia speech, they wind up looking like out-of-touch crazies anyway.

One thing seems clear: the president of Iran wants the US to be the great enemy of his people. Anything the US does to befriend the common Iranian person can hurt his cause. Refusing to talk to them is not really an acceptable solution. I just don't see what we get out of the status quo. We have thousands of well paid diplomats... let's put them to good use. Explaining to Iran that we know what they are up to, and what we will do about it if they don't stop, and asking them what in the hell they are trying to achieve, could open up internal dialogues, more protests, etc.

Isn't it, though? Obama has shifted from his first statement that we should have presidential level talks with Ahmedinijad without preconditions. Now he says there has to be 'preparation' which he defines as basic understandings, goals, etc. That seems fair to me. Make a big show of asking Iran's leadership what it's trying to do in all the killings in Iraq. Put up convincing proof that Iran is interfering mightily. Tell them what will happen if they don't stop, and tell them that their stated goals of striking other countries combined with Iranian nuclear arms is something the US won't abide with.

While we already tell them this basic stuff now, we should have high level discussions with Iran's seniors (beyond just the president), and ask them what they want and how they plan of getting it, and telling them what we want and how we plan on getting it.

I don't see how this would make things worse, and there's at least some chance this public display would be helpful to the people of Iran.